Cláracha Gaeilge have issued a new call for ideas. All proposals should be suitable for transmission in the prime-time schedule on RTÉ One in Autumn, 2017 and be submitted to RTÉ for consideration no later than 12 noon on April 13th, 2017. This is a strict deadline.

RTÉ Television has a reputation for quality programming in the Irish language and about the Irish language. They have long captured strong, unique issues, stories and voices and given them a platform in the heart of the RTÉ schedules, particularly on RTÉ One.

Ceannasaí Cláracha Gaeilge, Education and Science: Colm O'Callaghan

Executive Producer: Kevin Cummins

CLÁRACHA GAEILGE COMMISSIONING BRIEF

Recent output from Cláracha Gaeilge includes the long-running series 'Scannal', and 'Cloch Le Carn', both of which are multi-part, single-camera series that are produced in-house and that have played primarily on Mondays, RTÉ One, at 19:30. In 2016, they broadcast three new, short documentary strands :- 'Ar Son Na Poblachta' looked at less obvious aspects of the 1916 Rising, 'Comhrialtas' dealt with the history of coalition governments in Ireland and 'Euros' took a retrospective look at Ireland's experiences in the European football championships of 1988 and 2012.

Over the last number of years they have also broadcast a number of co-produced and co-funded projects, among them 'Deirfiúracha Na hEolaíochta' [BAI], 'Oíche Na Gaoithe Móire' [BBC N.I./ILBF/BAI], 'Guth na nGael' [BAI] and 'Wolfland' [RTÉ/BBC N.I./ILBF/BAI].

'Polaitíocht ; Power On The Box', a four-part series on Irish politics in the television age authored and presented by Harry McGee and co-funded by B.A.I. went out during November and December, 2016 and, in 2017, two new series commissioned from Ireland's independent production sector will be broadcast, the first of which examines the changing face of the G.A.A. and the second of which looks at the legacy of The Land Commission.

With three 'Sound And Vision' rounds now slated for 2017, Cláracha Gaeilge is actively seeking proposals for projects that sate the criteria of that fund and that can also compliment it's in-house strands.

They are especially looking for projects that deal with aspects of life and living in contemporary Ireland and beyond, that are editorially challenging and that can play outside of traditional Irish language slots in pre-watershed.

Proposals should be relevant, have strong stories and characters at their core, have broad audience appeal and should be produced in the Irish language. They can be forward looking, rooted in the present and can be cross-genre, covering aspects of lifestyle, entertainment, education etc. Proposals can be talent-led and authored.

The department will also continue to support and endorse projects that may be suitable for co-funding opportunities, either with other broadcasters, Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund [I.L.B.F.] or others.

Science Documentaries, 2017

Budget - For all proposals, which can be one-offs or multi-part, will be to a maximum of €120,000 per hour.

In 2015 the Science Foundation Ireland 'Science in Ireland Barometer' found that just 48% of the Irish public feel informed of research and developments in the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The Barometer also found that while almost 90% of the public value the contribution of STEM to our society and recognise the importance of STEM education and research 71% say that these areas are too complex for them to discuss or engage with. (Science in Ireland Barometer)

Technology, science and engineering touch many aspects of daily life in Ireland, from the increased use of smart phones to choices we make about transport to information about our health. Many of the challenges facing the country in the future - including food production, health while living longer, sustainable energy, climate and security issues - will all rely on the contribution of STEM for solutions. For Ireland to make the right decisions it is essential to engage the public more in the conversation.

Science Foundation Ireland are working with RTÉ in a bid to make challenges, developments and discoveries in science, engineering and technology more accessible to the public through television and digital media content. With the potential of broadcast output on all platforms to reach wide audiences, this effort aims to breakdown the complexity of science identified by the Irish public and help explore how STEM is so much at the heart of our everyday lives and the potential for our future. This joint initiative will therefore support projects that take pioneering research and developments in Ireland and place them in real stories that are relevant and appeal to a broad audience.

These programmes should engage audiences by using creative, novel approaches and embedding the science, technology or engineering in real stories. The proposals should clearly show how the programme/s have developed though collaboration between STEM researchers and the production team.

RTÉ and Science Foundation Ireland are now seeking proposals for three hours of output that have strong, popular science-based themes at heart. Proposals can be for 6 x 30 minute projects, 3 x 1 hour projects or individual one-hour projects.

Special consideration will be given to proposals that deal with the theme of how our behaviours and attitudes impact our lives and shape our society. Just what is truth? With so many popular references to post truth era, echo chambers and shifts in our society how do we wire our brains to cope and decipher the truth and reality? With reported growing levels of anxiety in our young people, how is the predicted future possibility of a career spanning 15 different jobs affecting them? Research into variations in our diet and the diversity of bacteria in our gut has shown a positive impact on our ability to deal with stress. How are we adapting to the shift from learning and recalling fact to the skills required to analyse data and solve problems? What will be the long-term effect of this on our evolution? With a growing number of our population living longer how is music and technology helping slow down the impact of diseases affecting our brain? These are just some of the questions that could be explored under the broad theme of how our mental and physical health can influence our lives and our society and how Ireland is leading pioneering international research in these areas.

RTÉ and Science Foundation Ireland will also consider big-ticket, large-scale event proposals dealing with these or other relevant or appropriate themes. Some or all of the successful proposals under this call could be broadcast throughout some or each of the days during Science Week 2017, [12th - 19th November, 2017].

All proposals should be suitable for transmission in the prime-time schedule on RTÉ One in Autumn, 2017 and should have strong, popular appeal, as well as being relevant to Irish audiences. Proposals can be authored or presenter led but RTÉ are not seeking profiles. Proposals should, in all instances, reflect the contribution of science, technology, engineering and maths in contemporary Irish society.

To this end this call will also include a briefing session to be announced through RTÉ shortly. This session will provide more insight to the RTÉ SFI joint initiative and this particular call.

All proposals should be far-reaching in their ambition, using fresh approaches to engage a non-science seeking audience in science conversations. Proposals must be scientifically sound and will require the input of a science professional[s] either in an advisory role or a direct collaboration role from the outset of the programme development. Proposals should clearly indicate the name[s] of the scientific, technological or engineering expert/ collaborators on the projects, the role they will play in the project and confirmations of their involvement.

Proposals are encouraged to demonstrate the scope of the programme to broaden its reach and educational impact through supporting digital accompaniments such as websites, apps, social media for example.

Please also note that proposals should be submitted to RTÉ for consideration no later than 12 noon on April 13th, 2017. [Strict deadline]

They ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system under the programme category "Cláracha Gaeilge - SFI 2017".

*Please note that budget ranges are indicative only and proposals that can achieve lower costs per hour will be particularly attractive.